ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Jabrill Peppers pressed a phone against his right cheek, head bowed, and swayed from side to side.

He picked his head up when he heard unexpected news.

“Wow. Hey,” he said, tilting his head back with a huge smile upon finding out he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!”

The do-it-all, three-way dynamo had quite a year for No. 6 Michigan, and the team says he played 15 positions across offense, defense and special teams.

But the nation’s most versatile star wasn’t necessarily projected to be among the final five players up for the Heisman.

“I was in shock when I got that call,” Peppers told The Associated Press. “I’m still in shock. It’s surreal. When you’re a child, you set goals and you work hard for things like this.”

The East Orange, New Jersey, native had to work harder than most. He was 7 when his father, Terry Peppers, went to jail and was 14 when his older brother and role model, Don Curtis, was shot and killed.

His mother will join him at the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday night in New York. He wasn’t planning on inviting his father.

“With my dad, our relationship is still growing,” Peppers said. “He’s trying to get back on his feet.”

Peppers is a star who contributed this season in three facets of the game . In the rare moments he wasn’t on the field, he was standing near coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline, ready to roll when his name was called.

Peppers won the Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile college football player. On defense, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder usually lined up as a linebacker after spending most of the previous two years as a defensive back.

Michigan’s Charles Woodson is the only player to win the Heisman while primarily playing defense — though, like Peppers, Woodson also played on offense and special teams.

“It means a lot to be a part of that group,” Peppers said. “I didn’t finish the season as well as I thought and hoped I would, and there were a lot of guys that could have been finalists ahead of me.”

Many expect Peppers to skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft, though he’s declined to talk about it because he doesn’t want to distract from Michigan’s preparation for the Orange Bowl against No. 10 Florida State on Dec. 30.

“We have one more game to play and that’s where my focus is,” he said. “I absolutely want to end the season on a good note and get the sour taste out of my mouth.”

The Wolverines closed the regular season with two losses in three games, including a stinging setback as a third-ranked team to second-ranked Ohio State, 30-27 in two overtimes. The Buckeyes beat their rival in part because they didn’t let Peppers make any game-breaking plays on offense or special teams.

Peppers did have seven tackles and intercepted a pass, but he had just four yards rushing on four carries. On special teams, he returned one kickoff for 44 yards and a punt for 5 yards.

Harbaugh, though, wouldn’t trade him for any player in college football.

“He’s an amazing player that does everything that anybody asks, any of the coaches or teammates ask him to do,” Harbaugh said. “Whether it’s play safety or corner or nickel or linebacker or quarterback or slot receiver or running back, punt returner, kick returner, he does it all and without hesitation, without flinching. He does it to the best of his God-given ability every time.”

___

HEISMAN-DEFINING MOMENT: Like Woodson, Peppers returned a punt for a touchdown into the south end zone in Michigan Stadium for his signature play of the season. Peppers showed his speed, strength and agility on the 54-yard score in the fourth quarter that helped the Wolverines pull away to beat Colorado 45-28.

BEST GAME: Peppers scored on a punt return, had a season-long, 55-yard kickoff, a 17-yard run and nine tackles, including a sack, against the Buffaloes, who are No. 11 going into the postseason.

WORST GAME: In a loss 14-13 loss at Iowa, the Wolverines needed a spark and their best all-around player couldn’t provide it. Peppers was held to 11 yards rushing on four carries, returned a kickoff just 16 yards, a punt 19 yards and made five tackles.

PRO PROSPECTS: Unless he makes a stunning return to college, Peppers is projected to be among the top picks in the draft. He fits the profile of what NFL teams are looking for, a player they can line up against a slot receiver or send on a blitz. Peppers will also be viewed as an asset in the kicking game.

The ground beneath Barkley’s tires becomes much rougher when he makes his first NFL road start Sunday at Detroit against the first-place Lions (8-4).

“It kind of was like riding a bike just to be honest,” Barkley said about replacing injured Jay Cutler. “Once you have a full week of reps under your belt and you get into that flow, it’s picked up where it left off, I felt like, from college.”

Since coming into the NFL in 2013, the former USC quarterback hadn’t played regularly in the NFL until Cutler’s season-ending shoulder injury. In two starts, Barkley is 39 for 72 for 508 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Barkley got stronger as both games continued, following slow starts.

Last week, Barkley hadn’t completed a pass until 90 seconds remained in the first half, but led a 26-6 victory. He nearly pulled off a fourth-quarter rally from a 20-point deficit the previous week against Tennessee.

“He’s done a really good job of coming in and having great command and poise in the pocket and control in the huddle,” Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said.

“In my opinion, where he’s really stood out is when we’ve been in our no-huddle, two-minute situations, he’s done a nice job that way.”

Loggains has played with a backup receiver crew that is missing suspended Alshon Jeffery, and behind a patchwork offensive line.

Facing Detroit at Ford Field presents a challenge Barkley hasn’t faced yet, since his first two starts came at Soldier Field.

“It’s definitely a different set of circumstances,” coach John Fox said. “His first actual action for us was at Green Bay after the Brian Hoyer (broken arm), so he’s been on the road and played, but not as a starter. It’s a challenge.”

The Bears (3-9) have pumped in recorded crowd noise to the Walter Payton Center for practice all week to prepare Barkley.

“Obviously the noise, when it gets loud, which it does, will affect our cadence and we’ll be in silent and doing some different things,” Barkley said. “But I’ve been in loud situations before in road situations before, so I’m not sure you could get it any differently aside from a few things that we have to do week to week.”

The other step up for Barkley is facing an improving Lions defense. Mired near the bottom statistically when they lost to the Bears at Soldier Field in Week 4, Detroit’s defense has climbed to 15th overall and 15th in interceptions (10).

Cornerback Darius Slay, in particular, has Barkley’s attention.

“He makes plays,” Barkley said. “I think (because of) his quickness and knack for the ball — for where it is — I think you’ve always got to keep an eye on him.”

Barkley plans to rely on rookie running back Jordan Howard, who is 117 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. Howard had his first 100-yard game against Detroit with 111 yards on 23 attempts.

“Jordan and the whole run game up front has helped our play-action passes and the passing game in general,” Barkley said.

“With a back like him, who rarely gets tackled on the first hit, first touch, it’s comforting for me knowing we can get those third-and-shorts or second-and-shorts and keep moving the ball; and that the run fakes do set up the passing game very well.”

It’s far too soon for the Bears to project Barkely as anything more than one of the potential quarterbacks for next year’s roster. He’ll be a restricted free agent after this season.

However, this game could provide further indication of where Barkley is in terms of potential.

It wouldn’t surprise Loggains if Barkley’s success continues because plenty of other quarterbacks have come from far worse starts to their career. Then again, making a judgment now would be premature.

“I think every situation is different,” Loggains said. “I was fortunate enough when I was in Dallas (that) Tony Romo was a practice squad quarterback or the No. 3 quarterback, and I was in personnel and I got to watch him compete every day. You knew there was something there with him.

“Every guy is different. As they build experience and you get to watch them more and more, you make your decisions based on that. Very seldomly do you see a guy right away and say ‘hey this guy can play,’ because you don’t know what it’s going to be like under pressure.”

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/matt-barkley-faces-lions-in-his-first-road-start-for-bears/feed/0Jim Caldwell Stays Calm Through Highs And Lows With Lionshttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/jim-caldwell-stays-calm-through-highs-and-lows-with-lions/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/jim-caldwell-stays-calm-through-highs-and-lows-with-lions/#respondFri, 09 Dec 2016 13:50:44 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857991Jim Caldwell, an even-keeled, well-read coach, has helped the Detroit Lions bounce back within games this season and from a slow start this year to put the franchise in a rare position.]]>LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Jim Caldwell, an even-keeled, well-read coach, has helped the Detroit Lions bounce back within games this season and from a slow start this year to put the franchise in a rare position.

The Lions (8-4) have a two-game lead in the NFC North, giving them a good opportunity to win a division title for the first time since 1993. They hired a rookie general manager after last season’s 7-9 finish, but Bob Quinn chose to keep Caldwell instead of hiring his own coach to begin a new era.

It looks like that was the right move.

Detroit has rallied from seven fourth-quarter deficits to win games, showing its players are cool under pressure and resilient, just like their coach.

Caldwell’s choice of words, when speaking to players and the public, come from an array of sources as he tries to teach people about football and life. He shares advice from Chinese proverbs and Jim Collins’ books, including the concept of “productive paranoia,” as quarterback Matthew Stafford recalled.

“He for sure has dropped that one on us,” Stafford said. “He brings it up in team meetings. It’s a great one when you think about it.”

Unless the Lions collapse, it’s tough to think of a reason Caldwell won’t be back next year for a fourth season with them to surpass his tenure as Indianapolis Colts coach. Caldwell, though, is not going to celebrate with a sense vindication or feel as if his job is safe.

“In this business you’re always on the hot seat,” said Caldwell, 26-18 with a playoff appearance with the Lions. “I don’t care what your record is. It’s what have you done lately, you know? I saw several years back, Marty Schottenheimer got fired at 14-2. If that doesn’t tell you something about this business, nothing will.”

The Chicago Bears (3-9) will have to close the regular season with four straight wins for coach John Fox to match predecessor Marc Trestman’s two-year record of 13-19 that led to him being fired. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio insisted he intends to return for a third year under Fox next season, refuting a report he might be gone because of philosophical differences. Fox acknowledged there’s a tricky dynamic because he’s a defensive-minded coach overseeing his defensive coordinator.

“Yeah, I think when you get reports like this, I think it makes it all difficult,” Fox said.

Here are some other things to watch when Detroit hosts Chicago on Sunday:

NEW LOOK: The Bears beat the Lions 17-14 in Week 4 for their first of three wins, picking off Matthew Stafford twice and getting 111 yards of offense from both rookie running back Jordan Howard and nine-year veteran receiver Eddie Royal. Chicago will have a much different lineup in the rematch. The Bears have 15 players on injured reserve and two other players, receiver Alshon Jeffery and linebacker Jerrell Freeman, are serving four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy.

SAFETY TRIO: The Lions started three safeties, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush, last week at New Orleans to make up for the loss of injured middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead. Detroit might keep the trio of safeties on the field more now because cornerback Quandre Diggs, who started three games at nickel back, is out for the year with a chest injury.

TATE’S TURNAROUND: Detroit receiver Golden Tate had one of the worst games of his career Oct. 2 at Chicago, where he had only one catch for 1 yard.

“It kind of just lit a fire under me,” Tate said.

Since that game against the Bears, he has been one of the key reasons the Lions have won seven of eight games. He had eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win at New Orleans; 11 catches for 79 yards and a score in a victory over Minnesota; and eight receptions for a career-high 165 yards and a TD in a win against Los Angeles.

HITTING THE ROAD: Chicago’s Matt Barkley has fared relatively well in the first two starts of his three-year career, completing 55 percent of his passes for an average of 254 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in a 26-6 win over San Francisco and a 27-21 loss to Tennessee. Barkley, though, will be tested on the road for the first time as an NFL starter at Ford Field.

STAFFORD SAFE: Since throwing two interceptions at Chicago that gave him four in four games, Stafford has been picked off only once in eight games.

“He’s playing very efficient,” Fangio said. “He’s using his legs a lot more.”

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The loss of safety Earl Thomas to a season-ending injury left a gaping hole in the Seattle Seahawks’ formidable defense.

The Green Bay Packers are more concerned about the considerable talent still left with the Seahawks.

Life without Thomas begins Sunday when Seattle travels to Lambeau Field in an important game in the NFC playoff picture. The Packers (6-6) need a win to keep pace with first-place Detroit in the NFC North. The Seahawks (8-3-1) have two avenues to clinch the NFC West on Sunday, the easiest being a win over Green Bay along with an Arizona loss or tie.

Whatever happens, coach Pete Carroll’s club must play the rest of the season without Thomas, the former All-Pro safety who broke his lower left leg in last week’s 40-7 win over Carolina.

“You can’t really replace him. All you can do is try to find somebody that can fit in in a role that’s similar, that can do 80 percent or even 60 percent of what he does and can help us win the game,” defensive end Michael Bennett said.

Thomas’ job will be filled by Steven Terrell , who was mostly a special teams contributor until a few weeks ago when Thomas suffered a hamstring injury. He’s ready to be tested by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“I’m prepared for that, you always think teams are going to take shots deep,” Terrell said.

But what the Packers have done best of late is attack defenses with quick passes on short-to-medium routes, with Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb giving Rodgers a trio of reliable receivers. Minus a consistent running game with Eddie Lacy (ankle) out for the year, coach Mike McCarthy has had to get creative to keep defenses guessing.

“But we’re not going to drop back and throw 50-yard post routes all day because they’ve got a new free safety,” McCarthy said. “I don’t think that’s practical. I mean, you just see how the new guy fits in.”

Other notes and things to watch ahead of Sunday’s game:

COOKING THINGS UP: The return of tight end Jared Cook from a foot injury three games ago gave Rodgers a big receiving target. The 6-foot-5 Cook, who could test the Seahawks over the middle with Thomas out, has experienced some success against Seattle while he played for the Rams.

He has also experienced bone-crunching hits from Seattle’s other tough safety, Kam Chancellor.

“You just can’t worry about it,” Cook said. “You’re going to get hit, you’re going to have defenders in the middle of the field, so you’ve just got to catch and secure the ball.”

RUN IT OUT: Seattle’s run game is starting to find some traction, and that could help if it snows again in Green Bay.

The Seahawks have rushed for at least 125 yards as a team in three straight games. Last week against Carolina was the peak, with the Seahawks running for 240 yards. Thomas Rawls rushed for 103 yards in the first half against the Panthers, becoming the second Seattle player this season to have a 100-yard game.

ACHES AND PAINS: The injury bug on the Packers’ defense has now hit the linebacker position. Nick Perry (eight sacks) has been ruled out for Sunday with a left hand injury. He was also a solid run defender on the edge.

Clay Matthews is working through a painful left shoulder injury. Starting inside linebackers Jake Ryan (ankle) and Blake Martinez (knee) also have been limited this week. The injuries in part have affected a run defense that has slackened since the opening month of the season.

RUN IT OUT, PART 2: James Starks hasn’t had much production on the ground for the Packers, but he has had his moments on screens and in the short passing game, and that might come in handy against Seattle’s effective pass rush. Christine Michael, who was claimed off waivers from Seattle a few weeks ago, has slowly been getting more carries as he gets up to speed in Green Bay. He had 19 yards on nine carries last week against Houston .

WHAT WEATHER? Whatever the weather Sunday, it shouldn’t be a problem for Seattle. A little snow, or a little cold seem easy to deal with after last January’s NFC wild-card game in Minnesota, played in negative temperatures. “You can’t get any worse than we had in Minnesota,” Seattle’s Richard Sherman said. “Everything else is an oven compared to that.”

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/09/packers-wont-doubt-thomas-less-seahawks-defense/feed/0Spartans Announce 2017 Schedule Changeshttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/spartans-announce-2017-schedule-changes/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/spartans-announce-2017-schedule-changes/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:52:45 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857895Michigan State football announced two changes to its 2017 schedule on Thursday.]]>EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State football announced two changes to its 2017 schedule on Thursday.

The Spartans will play Bowling Green in the 2017 season and home opener at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2. MSU is 2-0 all-time against the Falcons, including a 28-17 win during Mark Dantonio’s first season as head coach in East Lansing in 2007.

In Week 2, MSU will host Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 9. Dantonio is 4-0 against the Broncos and the Spartans are 12-2 all-time against WMU in a series that dates back to 1908.

MSU was previously scheduled to play Bowling Green on Sept. 9 and Western Michigan on Sept. 16. MSU’s 2017 bye is now set for Sept. 16.

The Spartans will open the 2017 season with four consecutive home games for the first time since 2002 and for only the fifth time in school history (1918: 5 straight, 1924: 4, 1928: 5, 2002: 5; 2017: 4).

Michigan State will play a total of seven home games in 2017, including three nonconference contests (Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Notre Dame) and four Big Ten games (Iowa, Indiana, Penn State, Maryland).

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/spartans-announce-2017-schedule-changes/feed/0Statement From The Detroit Red Wings On The Passing Of Ken Daniels Son Jamiehttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/statement-from-the-detroit-red-wings-on-the-passing-of-ken-daniels-son-jamie/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/statement-from-the-detroit-red-wings-on-the-passing-of-ken-daniels-son-jamie/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 20:37:57 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857881The Detroit Red Wings and FOX Sports Detroit are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jamie Daniels, son of television play-by-play broadcaster Ken Daniels.]]>The Detroit Red Wings and FOX Sports Detroit are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jamie Daniels, son of television play-by-play broadcaster Ken Daniels. Jamie passed away in his sleep on Wednesday morning at the age of 23.

The #RedWings & @FOXSportsDet are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jamie Daniels, son of tv play-by-play broadcaster Ken Daniels.

Both the Red Wings organization and FOX Sports Detroit would like to offer their heartfelt condolences to the Daniels family during this most difficult time.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/statement-from-the-detroit-red-wings-on-the-passing-of-ken-daniels-son-jamie/feed/0NHL Linesman Rolls Around Like Peter Griffin When Hit In The Knee With Puck [VIDEO]http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/nhl-linesman-rolls-around-like-peter-griffin-when-hit-in-the-knee-with-puck-video/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/nhl-linesman-rolls-around-like-peter-griffin-when-hit-in-the-knee-with-puck-video/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 20:16:11 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857875Linesman Steve Miller was hit in the left knee by a slap shot from Roman Polak in the opening minute of the third period and instantly dropped to the ice in pain.]]>TORONTO (AP) — Eric Staal never has trouble finding motivation when he’s up against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Staal scored yet another goal against Toronto, lifting the Minnesota Wild to a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.

Staal has 47 points in 43 career games against Toronto, and three of his six goals this season have come against the Leafs.

“It was a team I grew up watching,” the 32-year-old center said. “So I always have a little spot in my heart for the Leafs because of growing up with Hockey Night in Canada there in Thunder Bay and people there are Leafs fans, that’s who they watch and I was no different as a kid. ”

Jason Zucker and Chris Stewart also scored for the Wild, who wrapped a five-game trip 2-1-2.

Ben Smith and Tyler Bozak had goals for the Maple Leafs, who dropped to 8-4-0 at Air Canada Centre.

Toronto entered the third period down a goal and pushed hard but couldn’t get the equalizer because of goalie Devan Dubnyk, who stopped all 17 shots in the final 20 minutes and 35 in total.

“He seems to go down in that butterfly and post to post is covered, he does a great job fighting traffic and tonight he made a few timely saves,” Toronto’s Nazem Kadri said.

Frederik Andersen stopped 17 shots for Toronto.

Minnesota opened the scoring 8:42 into the first period after forcing a turnover from Kadri behind his own net. Mikko Koivu stripped Kadri and made a short pass to Mikael Granlund, who then put the puck out front to Zucker. He beat Andersen blocker side for a 1-0 lead.

Andersen was later forced to make a fine pad save on Granlund from the slot, but then Stewart made it 2-0 when he was sprung in alone on a breakaway off a long pass from Jared Spurgeon.

It was Stewart’s first goal at Air Canada Centre — he grew up in Toronto and had family in the crowd watching.

“I’ve been thinking about that one my whole life,” Stewart said. “It’s good to get it off the bucket list.”

Smith got one back for Toronto with 3:10 to go in the period. Kadri crossed Minnesota’s blue line and put a shot on net that Dubnyk kicked out to the slot, where Smith was waiting to push it in for a 2-1 game.

Staal regained the two-goal lead for the Wild just 1:15 into the second period, putting a backhand shot past Andersen after taking a pass from behind the net from Charlie Coyle.

It took Toronto over five minutes to register its first shot on net in the second.

Bozak scored with an individual effort to make it 3-2 at 10:54. Bozak stole the puck in Minnesota’s end, skated by Matt Dumba and beat Dubnyk with a backhand up top.

Linesman Steve Miller was hit in the left knee by a slap shot from Roman Polak in the opening minute of the third period and instantly dropped to the ice in pain. He skated off with assistance and didn’t return, leaving the game to be finished with three officials instead of four.

Toronto had one final opportunity to even the score late when Ryan Suter took a minor penalty, but Minnesota killed it off.

NOTES: Dubnyk was making the 300th career start. He entered with the best save percentage in the league at .946. … Connor Carrick replaced Martin Marincin on Toronto’s blue line. … Antoine Bibeau backed up Andersen while Karri Ramo made his first start for the AHL Marlies against Utica. He made 33 saves in a 3-2 loss.

UP NEXT

Wild: Return home to host the Oilers on Friday night.

Maple Leafs: Play at Boston on Saturday night.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

As teams packed up along the Potomac River and headed home Thursday, a look at what did and didn’t happen this week at the winter meetings:

___

WHO’S LEFT?

Major league home run leader Mark Trumbo, fellow sluggers Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, and center fielder Dexter Fowler are available free agents. So is closer Kenley Jansen, who’s attracting serious interest from the Marlins. But Miami has a policy of not giving no-trade clauses, and that’s troubling to some players and agents.

Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said there’s no reason to worry.

“The belief when you enter into these deals is that you’re going to be together for the length of the contract,” he said.

Try telling that to Jose Reyes — he signed a six-year deal with Miami before 2012, then got traded onto the artificial turf in Toronto after just one season.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen was all-but-gone at these meetings. That’s what most everyone thought, anyway.

But the former MVP is going to PirateFest this weekend, still on the team. General manager Neal Huntington says he plans to talk things over with McCutchen before the festivities.

“We took calls, we listened, we engaged,” Huntington said. “We felt the right move was to hold the player.”

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The White Sox got quite a haul of prospects by trading Sale and Adam Eaton, and they’re far from done. Closer David Robertson, starter Jose Quintana or third baseman Todd Frazier could be next.

“We embrace the challenge that lies ahead of us,” GM Rick Hahn said. “We have for the last several months … but it’s nowhere near completed.”

A year removed from winning the World Series, the Royals are in a different spot. Several of their stars are eligible for free agency after this season — first baseman Eric Hosmer, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and pitcher Danny Duffy, among them — and KC doesn’t want to lose them with nothing in return. They began revamping the roster by trading Davis to the champion Cubs for young, powerful Jorge Soler.

FIELD DAY

Extra emphasis is being put these days on guys who can handle more than one spot. With David Ortiz retiring, Boston wants someone who could DH and also play first base — Mitch Moreland is set to be that person. The Royals like Soler as a right fielder and DH. The Nationals are looking at Trea Turner in the outfield and at shortstop.

Houston might see whether Carlos Beltran can play first base. And Colorado might turn newly signed Ian Desmond into a first baseman — he was a shortstop in Washington and an outfielder in Texas.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

Who did the best and who did the worst at these meetings? Fact is, the answer might not come for a few years.

The AL East champion Red Sox looked good getting Sale from the White Sox for a hefty package. The White Sox looked smart getting a trio of young, talented pitchers for outfielder Adam Eaton.

But until fans see how the prospects turn out, well, everyone will just have to wait.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Miller, who also shoved a tackle into Bortles on Bradley Roby’s pick-6, spoke about his sack-strip after the game although none was listed on the official statistics until the league corrected its mistake this week.

Even while facing constant double teams, Miller has followed up his Super Bowl MVP performance and record-breaking contract with another stellar season and is five sacks shy of his career high set in 2012.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/league-fixes-mistake-credits-miller-with-another-sack/feed/0Lions Host Bears, Aiming For 5th Straight Win And 7th In 8http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/lions-host-bears-aiming-for-5th-straight-win-and-7th-in-8/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/lions-host-bears-aiming-for-5th-straight-win-and-7th-in-8/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 18:58:14 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857858Bears can sweep season series for first time since 2012.]]>The Associated Press

CHICAGO (3-9) at DETROIT (8-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

OPENING LINE — Lions by 7

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Chicago 5-7, Detroit 7-4-1

SERIES RECORD — Bears lead 97-71-5

LAST MEETING — Bears beat Lions 17-14, Oct. 2

LAST WEEK — Bears beat 49ers 26-6, Lions beat Saints 28-13

AP PRO32 RANKING — Bears No. 28, Lions No. 7

BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (16), RUSH (19), PASS (17)

BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (7), RUSH (18), PASS (6)

LIONS OFFENSE — OVERALL (21), RUSH (29), PASS (15)

LIONS DEFENSE — OVERALL (15T), RUSH (13), PASS (20)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Bears can sweep season series for first time since 2012. … Chicago had lost three straight, six of seven before beating San Francisco. … Bears QB Matt Barkley had career-high 97.5 rating in win over 49ers in second straight start with Jay Cutler out for season. … Chicago rookie RB Jordan Howard ran for 111 yards against Detroit in Week 4, had 117 yards rushing and three TDs last week. … Bears WR Josh Bellamy had career-high 93 yards receiving against 49ers in 40th game of career. … Chicago DE Akiem Hicks had two sacks last week and has career-high six sacks. … Bears LB Leonard Floyd leads league’s rookies with seven sacks. … Lions have two-game lead in NFC North, moving closer to first division title since 1993. … Detroit has won four straight and seven of eight since losing at Chicago. … Lions QB Matthew Stafford has thrown one INT in eight games since he had two INTs against Bears. … Detroit’s Theo Riddick leads NFL RBs with 12 TD catches since 2014. … Lions WR Golden Tate had eight receptions for 145 yards and TD at New Orleans. Tate had one catch for 1 yard at Chicago. … Detroit DE Kerry Hyder has four sacks in last four NFC North games. … Fantasy Tip: Lions WR Marvin Jones is expected to play after missing last week with quadriceps injury. With Tate getting plenty of attention, Jones may get lots of opportunities to make plays.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/lions-host-bears-aiming-for-5th-straight-win-and-7th-in-8/feed/0NFL Picks Week 14: Giants End Cowboys’ Streak And Chiefs Seize Control Of AFC Westhttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/nfl-picks-week-14-giants-end-cowboys-streak-and-chiefs-seize-control-of-afc-west/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/nfl-picks-week-14-giants-end-cowboys-streak-and-chiefs-seize-control-of-afc-west/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 18:40:22 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857844There are just four weeks left in the NFL's regular season and the importance of each game is compounded by the fact that time is of the essence.]]>Bryan Altman

I picked the Jets, and it cost me a winning record last week.

I should probably be forced to wear a scarlet ‘J’ on my chest for the rest of the NFL season.

I’m ashamed, and I let you down.

And as much as I’d like to spend the next few paragraphs or so complaining about the Jets and their impressive track record of sustained ineptitude, the show must go on. There are actually some great NFL teams and matchups to discuss, so let’s get to it.

There are just four weeks left in the NFL’s regular season and the importance of each game is obviously compounded by the fact that time is of the essence.

For a swath of teams with records anywhere between 8-4 and 6-6, the playoffs are still within arms reach and the next four weeks are essentially filled with playoff games for them.

Division leaders and teams with better records are still fighting for their division crown and of course for the coveted No. 1 and 2 seeds and a first-round bye. Two such teams will square off on Thursday night, getting Week 14 started right with what’s arguably not just the game of the week, but the game of the year.

No way we can lose – locks of the week: As you can guess, these will be the stone-cold locks of the week. The games that I’m so confident about that I’d put my life’s savings on them if I had a life’s savings to wager.

Feeling pretty… pretty good: Not quite willing to bet the farm on this batch, but as Mr. Larry David would say, I’m feeling pretty… pretty good about these games.

Heads or Tails: These are your true toss ups: they can go one way or another and you should pick with caution even after heeding my expert advice.

Seriously, I have no idea how this one is going to play out. Don’t look at me like that… you have no idea either. And I don’t care what any analyst says on the matter, nobody knows what’s going to happen in Kansas City on Thursday night.

Both the Raiders and Chiefs have been playing stellar football this year and you know they’re both going to be ready to go for this one.

And while it’s great that this game gets the primetime treatment it deserves, it’s a shame we have to watch these two go at it on short rest.

Still, this should be a highly entertaining, tightly-contested game for 60 minutes, but I’m going with the Chiefs to get the job done and cover the three-point spread.

The Chiefs did a number on Derek Carr and the Raiders when these teams met Week 6 IN Oakland, which has to count for something. On top of that, the Chiefs are super, super steady while Oakland has a bit more volatility to their style of play and the way they win games. I don’t think that bodes well for them against a team as fundamentally sound as the Chiefs, which is why I’m going with KC.

No Way We Can Lose — Locks Of The Week

Right now, Gus Bradley is like an action hero that has taken a barrage of bullets to the chest and somehow, inexplicably, keeps going. I’m not exactly a confidant of Jaguars owner Shad Khan, but my educated guess is Bradley won’t be back for yet another sequel.

Speaking of cast members that won’t be back, Blake Bortles has probably been the worst starting QB in the NFL this season. I’m not sure what happened to the 24-year-old youngster with as much promise as any young QB in the league heading into 2016, but that’s long gone.

What I’m trying to say is, Jaguars lose, Vikings win, because the Jags are a mess.

While a part of me is inclined to take the Browns against a division rival they’ve played close in the past, I’m not taking the bait here. The Bengals were hard-luck losers in their three games before they finally got off the schneid last week against the Eagles and I think they carry that momentum with them into Cleveland.

Sure, misery loves company, and the chance to put another ‘L’ on a hated rival might get the Browns’ motor running, but I don’t think they have what it takes to beat Cincy, whether A.J. Green suits up or not.

The Cardinals have had a bizarre season to say the very least. At times they’ve looked like the Super Bowl contenders many thought they’d be at the beginning of the year and at others they’ve looked lost, listless and over-matched.

Now, at 5-6-1, they still have a glimmer of hope at a playoff berth, but only if they run the table the rest of the way.

They’ll have to do it primarily on the road as three of their last four take them away from the friendly confines of University of Phoenix stadium.

The Dolphins also have a shot at making it to the postseason but will likely need to win out as well to emerge with a No. 5 or 6 seed in a crowded AFC Wild Card picture. Their 38-6 loss to the Ravens was stunning, but was also slightly revealing as Miami only beat one team above .500 during their six-game win streak.

I think they struggle again and the Cardinals keep their remote hopes alive for at least another week.

The Rams have just gotten the doors blown off of them by teams cut from the exact same cloth as the Falcons the last two weeks in a row. The Falcons lost in one of the most brutal ways imaginable last week and will be, as we say, out for blood.

Plus, good god is Jeff Fisher a mess. I’m going to do the opposite of what the Rams just did and avoid putting my money on him at all costs.

Falcons win easily.

Feeling Pretty… Pretty Good

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

(6-6) Houston Texans @ (6-6) Indianapolis Colts (-6)

ATS/Straight Up – Colts

The teams comprising the AFC South are avoiding taking the division crown like it’s half-off, two-day-old sushi at the supermarket.

Things are that bad.

But either way, when this debacle is over, one of these teams will have a 7-6 record (barring another tie) and will be one step closer to being eliminated in the Wild Card rou… uh, I mean, winning the AFC South title.

I think the Colts get the job done. If there’s one thing the Jets are good at, it’s giving their opponents a confidence boost, so I’m sure with their newly-discovered swagger the Colts can dispatch another sub-par quarterback by a large margin.

The Broncos have not been impressive of late and their trouble spot all year has been stopping the run. I don’t want to over-simplify this too much, but, the Titans run the ball really well.

Trevor Siemian’s return to the lineup definitely helps the Broncos as Paxton Lynch hasn’t looked NFL ready in any of his regular season action this year, but I like Tennessee to control the clock and do enough defensively to get a big ‘W’ and keep them in the playoff hunt.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

(3-9) Chicago Bears @ (8-4) Detroit Lions (-8) – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET

ATS – Bears

Straight Up – Lions

The only thing fan bases of teams with abysmal records want is a glimpse, however small, of a potentially brighter future. Matt Barkley has four games left to continue to provide that glimmer of hope to Bears fans and this would be a heck of a time to do it.

I feel like a broken record I’ve said this so many times, but the Lions play close games almost every week. I think a division matchup here is no exception. Lions win by a TD.

This is a whole lot of points to be giving a 7-5 division-leading team with the best defense in the NFL. I get it, it’s the Patriots, they command that kind of respect, but I think the Gronk-less Patriots will struggle here.

Ravens pull the upset over the Patriots and expand their AFC North lead in the process, let’s say on a last-second Justin Tucker field goal.

Heads or Tails

Had the Bills held on in Oakland, it would have put them on a path towards a possible playoff berth with a 7-5 record and three winnable games to close out their year against the Dolphins, Browns and Jets.

Now, at 6-6, they need to win out and need a lot to go right for them to sneak back into the playoff picture.

The Steelers, meanwhile, are in a heated playoff race of their own for both a Wild Card berth and for the AFC North title (tied at 7-5 with Baltimore), so the stakes couldn’t be higher when these teams meet in western New York on Sunday afternoon.

Even though it felt like Buffalo’s playoff chances evaporated into the Bay Area fog last week, I think Rex Ryan’s squad finds a way against the Steelers this week.

Pittsburgh’s been much better of late, but they’ve beaten up on some weak teams and — to their credit, mind you — were able to capitalize on a mistake-prone Giants offense to get the win last week.

The Seahawks win at home — that’s just what they do, they’re 6-0 there — but to not even show up against a perennial NFL superpower as the Panthers did on Sunday was damning.

The Eagles, Bills and Falcons, all teams that range from mediocre to above average, roughly in that order, played the Seahawks tight at home, so no excuses or “let’s toss that one out, everyone loses in Seattle” rationale at play here for Carolina.

The Chargers are playing good football against good opponents and I’m honestly not sure if Carolina shows up on Sunday for this one after the shellacking they took out west.

The Eagles are a different beast at home versus on the road, but they’ve also been a very different team this second half of the season. Their defense has been far less impressive as has their franchise quarterback, leaving Eagles fans left wondering just a little bit about that ‘sure thing’ they thought they had under center.

I think the oddsmakers are being a little too kind to the Eagles here and are dissing the Redskins. This spread should be +3 at least, in which case I’d consider taking Philly as I think they keep it close, but ultimately Washington finds a way.

The Jets flat out quit on coach Todd Bowles in front of their fans and a national audience on Monday night. Now, I’m supposed to give them a serious look as they head across the country with a second-year starter who’s starting his second NFL game?

Arguably, aside from the Cowboys, no team in the NFL has been hotter than the Bucs of late. Not only has Tampa taken hold of the NFC South, but they’ve done it by beating some very good teams, notably the Seahawks and the Chiefs in back-to-back weeks.

So it stands to reason that they can handle a Saints team that’s staggering to the finish line after showing brief signs of life in the middle of the season.

Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t lost on the road in seven years. Let that sink in for a second, because it’s pretty damn impressive.

Now, forget about it, because that streak is going the way of the Cowboys’ 11-game win streak this weekend — it’s over.

Elliott and the Cowboys have had their way running the ball almost every week this year except one… when they faced the Giants in Week 1. That week, Big Blue limited Elliott to just 51 yards on 20 carries for 2.6 yards per carry.

Sure, you could argue that Elliott was a rookie, playing in his first career NFL game, and has found his groove since that opening day loss.

I counter with the fact that the Giants have been stout against the run all year and I think that’ll continue against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Giants pull the upset.

Bryan Altman is, for some reason, an unabashed fan of the Rangers, Jets and Mets. If he absolutely had to pick a basketball team it would be the Knicks, but he’d gladly trade them for a championship for any of his other three teams.

Questions or comments? Feel free to follow Bryan onTwitter or send him an email.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/nfl-picks-week-14-giants-end-cowboys-streak-and-chiefs-seize-control-of-afc-west/feed/0Did Lions’ Travis Swanson Play Through A Concussion On Sunday?http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/did-lions-travis-swanson-play-through-a-concussion-on-sunday/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/did-lions-travis-swanson-play-through-a-concussion-on-sunday/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 18:32:44 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857787Lions' center Travis Swanson played every snap against the Saints on Sunday, but sat out practice on Wednesday due to a concussion.
]]>By: Will Burchfield@burchie_kid

Lions’ center Travis Swanson played every snap against the Saints on Sunday, but sat out practice on Wednesday due to a concussion.

It’s a mysterious development, considering the Lions were off on both Monday and Tuesday. Unless the concussion was non-football related, it’s only logical that Swanson sustained it during Sunday’s game.

Jim Caldwell was in no mood to entertain such theories on Thursday.

“We don’t talk about those things in particular, when things happen. But I can just tell you this in regard to that. We followed the rules, the protocol the League has set and mandated. Right now he’s in a protocol and that’s in the hands of our medical team, so they’ll take care of that,” Caldwell said.

In fairness, there’s certainly a chance that Swanson’s symptoms didn’t appear until after the game. That would explain the strange timeline of events. But Caldwell wouldn’t budge when asked about this possibility.

“The fact of the matter is I did answer the question,” he said. “That’s all you’re going to get from me in that regard.”

Asked how common it is for a concussion to go undetected during a game only to manifest itself afterward, Caldwell shut the discussion down.

“I don’t want to talk about medical issues,” he said. “I think I’ve given you a great explanation in detail probably about a month ago as to why we don’t. I’m going to stick to that.”

Fair enough. But the fact of the matter is Caldwell’s evasiveness regarding injuries breeds speculation. It leaves open the possibility, for example, that the Lions actually breached League protocol in handling Swanson’s concussion.

We’re not saying they did – but who’s to say they didn’t?

Caldwell, for one. Only he won’t address it.

The coach explained his uncompromising stance on injuries back in October.

“Let me tell you guys a couple things,” he said. “Oftentimes, I think you guys may get a little tired of me, but you know I’m pretty consistent across the board. I’ve been doing the same things, talking about injuries and things. If you check back to my head coaching days – I don’t care when you check – it’s been exactly the same.

“The reason being is, number one, I am not qualified to talk about every single aspect of a medical situation. Number two, oftentimes I think what you guys need and what we need is incongruent. They don’t work hand in hand. Our giving out of information gives our opponents information, people we’re playing against, that we sometimes care not to share.”

Again – all well and fine. But how does divulging information about a concussion Swanson suffered last week offer the Lions’ opponent an advantage this week? No one’s asking if Swanson will play on Sunday. No one’s even asking if he’ll practice beforehand.

That’s his prerogative, and the coach is well within his rights to withhold certain medical information from the media. But Caldwell’s tight-lipped ways have begun to backfire on the organization – first in regard to the long-term status of DeAndre Levy and now in regard to the Lions’ treatment of Swanson.

Does Levy want to play again? Most likely. Did the Lions allow Swanson to play through a concussion? Probably not.

But without answers, doubts and suspicions will fester. It’s only natural.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/did-lions-travis-swanson-play-through-a-concussion-on-sunday/feed/0Man Crashes Into Store To Steal The New Air Jordan XI “Space Jam’ [VIDEO]http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/man-crashes-into-store-to-steal-the-new-air-jordan-xi-space-jam-video/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/man-crashes-into-store-to-steal-the-new-air-jordan-xi-space-jam-video/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 17:58:04 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857809One man in Louisville didn't want to wait for Saturday and also didn't want to take the risk of missing out. ]]>By: Evan Jankens@kingofthekc

If you are driving by a mall early on Saturday and are wondering why there are huge lines just know Michael Jordan is releasing another pair of his famous sneakers.

The Air Jordan XI “Space Jam” will be making their highly anticipated return for the 20th anniversary of the hit movie “Space Jam,” which starred Mr. Jordan.

At the end of the flick when Jordan and his “Tune Squad” took on the “Monstars” these are the shoes Jordan wore. The only difference about the pair that comes out Saturday has the number 45 on the back instead of 23.

No injuries are reported, but crews on the scene could see a large hole in the wall of the building.

A detective on the scene told WDRB News that the suspect stole “lots of Air Jordans.”

I have been a Jordan collector for 20 years and this is just one extreme I wouldn’t go to.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/man-crashes-into-store-to-steal-the-new-air-jordan-xi-space-jam-video/feed/097-Year-Old Veteran Plays Amazing Version Of The National Anthem [VIDEO]http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/97-year-old-veteran-plays-amazing-version-of-the-national-anthem-video/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/97-year-old-veteran-plays-amazing-version-of-the-national-anthem-video/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:29:11 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857784Peter Dupre, a 97-year old World War II veteran who served a medic treating the wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, performed the national anthem on harmonica .
]]>KALANI TAKASE, Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — As good as Angel Delgado was on offense in Seton Hall’s 60-57 win over California Wednesday, he knew the game would be decided on defense.

Delgado recorded his third straight double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Seton Hall did just enough defensively to escape with two wins in as many days at the Pearl Harbor Invitational.

After withstanding California’s 52 percent shooting from the field in the first half, the Pirates (7-2) turned the tables in the second by holding the Bears (7-2) to 35.7 percent.

“I told the guys that we had to get stops. They’re going to score, because they’re a really good team, but we had to get stops because that’s how you win the game,” said Delgado, who pulled down a pivotal defensive rebound in the closing seconds.

Delgado, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward, made 6 of 9 shots from the field in a game-high 36 minutes played. It was his fifth double-double of the season and 28th of his career.

“He’s a big, physical player,” California coach Cuonzo Martin said. “He posts up strong, he posts up deep, he knows how to use his body, he knows where he wants to get offensively and I thought he did a great job really establishing himself in the post, getting to the free-throw line, getting offensive rebounds, so overall I thought he played a good game.”

Desi Rodriguez scored 15 points and Khadeen Carrington had 14 points with four assists for the Pirates.

Carrington tied it at 45 with just under 12 minutes to play on a 3-pointer from the right wing, which ignited a 7-0 Seton Hall run. California never regained the lead.

Ivan Rabb’s putback pulled the Golden Bears within 58-57 with 31.1 seconds remaining, but Carrington and Delgado each hit a free throw to extend the Pirates’ lead to 60-57 with 2.7 seconds left.

Jabari Bird had a chance to send it into overtime, but his 3-pointer from about 25 feet as time expired was no good.

Bird came off the bench to lead California with 22 points and nine rebounds.

California closed out the first half with an 11-4 run to turn a four-point deficit into a 34-31 lead.

It was just the second meeting between the teams with California winning 81-76 on Dec. 8, 1973.

BIG PICTURE

California: Rabb, a 6-11 sophomore, struggled for the second consecutive game. He made just 3 of his 8 shots from the field and finished with eight points after being held to a season-low six points against Princeton Tuesday. Rabb, who has been playing with a left wrist injury, entered Wednesday’s game averaging 17.5 points per game.

Seton Hall: The Pirates reeled off their third straight win despite making just 9 of their 20 attempts (45 percent) from the free-throw line. They shot just 46.6 percent (21 of 45) on free throws for the two-day tournament.

HIGHLIGHT REEL

The teams exchanged thunderous dunks within a 10-second span with about four minutes left in the game. Rodriguez threw down a left-handed windmill jam for Seton Hall before Bird outraced the Pirates’ defense for a transition dunk of his own that drew loud cheers from the crowd of about 2,000 spectators that was mostly made up of military service men and women.

HE SAID IT

“I don’t think anything is going to make that plane ride feel any shorter besides Ambien,” Willard said of the nearly 5,000-mile return trip from Honolulu to New Jersey.

DAY OF REMEMBERANCE

Wednesday was the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, which marked the beginning of World War II. A heavy military presence was on hand for both days of the event, which was held at Bloch Arena on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“It’s great because being here is a pleasure,” Delgado said. “Not everybody can be here, playing in front of people that will die for you. That’s really something. It’s really special to have this opportunity.”

Peter Dupre, a 97-year old World War II veteran who served a medic treating the wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, performed the national anthem on harmonica .

UP NEXT

California will host UC Davis Saturday, its seventh home game in nine contests this season.

Seton Hall goes to New York City to face No. 19 South Carolina at Madison Square Garden Monday.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

The 2016 NFL regular season has been unpredictable, to say the least. Teams that usually lead the pack find themselves trailing it, just as some of the usual cellar-dwellers sit atop their divisions. Football fans can thank parity for what’s becoming an annual upheaval.

A few teams must approach their final four games as playoff games if they hope to continue their seasons into January. Enter the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills, both in the thick of the playoff race with little room for error. Their postseason hopes hinge on their matchup this Sunday.

CBS Sports’ lead sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, who will be covering the game in Buffalo with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, discusses who and what to watch for in this important AFC battle.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills – Dec. 11, 1:00 p.m. ET – CBS

CBS Local Sports: The Steelers came out and took down the streaking Giants, where did that dominating defense come from?

Tracy Wolfson: The Steelers are really coming on. I see the young players maturing. Players, such as Artie Burns, Sean Davis, Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier, are healthy and playing great football. Sometimes, it just takes a little while for it all to come together. We saw some of it in the game against the Giants, and the Steelers know they can play even better and get into a rhythm even though there is a long way to go.

The Steelers do have a tough test coming up against the Bills’ offense, but what we saw in the Giants game is what the Steelers are working toward all the time.

CBS Local Sports: Up 24-9 on the Raiders in the middle of the third quarter, what happened to the Bills to cause that collapse?

Tracy Wolfson: The defense let up a little bit, it seemed. They allowed Oakland to march down the field, score a touchdown and get some momentum. At that point, the Bills’ offense became stagnant. First of all, these Oakland Raiders are extremely good. They find ways to win and take advantage of them when the door is opened. Buffalo allowed them to open that door, and Oakland simply took it and ran.

That loss had a lot to do with the defense letting up and the Bills just sitting back when they had a big lead.

CBS Local Sports: Has Le’Veon Bell cemented himself in place as the featured back for the Steelers?

Tracy Wolfson: No doubt. It would help if DeAngelo Williams was there because that one-two punch is always helpful for any team. Having another strong back also would allow Bell to stay healthy and fresh. Still, Bell is that featured back. Yes, he has had some fumbles in the last few games, but the Steelers don’t seem overly concerned with that.

CBS Local Sports: What must the Bills do to stop the multiple offensive weapons of the Steelers?

Tracy Wolfson: It’s something we’ve already talked about, stop Le’Veon Bell. The Bills need to stop the run. It starts there. That has to be their number one goal going into this game with Pittsburgh. It is the key right now. Once they do that, they can start pressuring Big Ben (Roethlisberger).

That isn’t always easy, though, but throwing him off of his game with the pass rush is extremely important. At that point, the Bills can focus on stopping guys like Antonio Brown, and that isn’t easy either. Stop the run, force the throw. Once they do that and get pressure on Ben, the Bills can focus on stopping the passing game. Just stop Le’Veon Bell first.

Danny Cox has been covering the NFL for the past decade and has been watching it for two more. From injury reports to playoff races, he follows every single team and longs for the months of July to February.

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Aroldis Chapman found a spot in a most familiar bullpen — a very rich spot, too.

The hard-throwing closer reached agreement to return to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night with the highest-priced contract ever for a relief pitcher, an $86 million deal for five years.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the contract was pending a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet complete.

“I have no concerns about his toughness, mental toughness,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday, without confirming the agreement. “It just comes down to will he maintain his health and performance levels, and if he does that then he’ll be one of the elite closers throughout the contract.”

Chapman gets an $11 million signing bonus, of which $1 million is payable this year and $5 million in each of the next two years, and annual salaries of $15 million. He has an opt out after 2019, a full no-trade provision for the first three years and then a limited no-trade that says he can’t be dealt to any of the five California teams or Seattle without his consent.

“The price tags are off the chart, both trade acquisition as well as free agency,” Cashman said.

Once it’s done, the 28-year-old lefty whose fastballs routinely top 100 mph would shatter the previous richest contract for a reliever — that was the $62 million, four-year deal Mark Melancon signed with San Francisco just a couple days ago during the winter meetings. Chapman also had a bac

Chapman was acquired by New York from the Cincinnati Reds last offseason, then missed the first 29 games of the season due to a domestic violence suspension from Major League Baseball. The Cuban was traded to the Chicago Cubs in late July and helped them win the World Series, becoming a free agent when it was over.

Chapman went 4-1 with 36 saves and a 1.55 ERA in a combined 59 games for the Yankees and Cubs. He struggled some in the postseason as the Cubs beat Cleveland for their first championship since 1908.

With the Yankees this season, Chapman teamed with Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances in one of the most dominant bullpens in baseball history. Miller was later traded to Cleveland, but Betances is still with New York.

Earlier this week, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team was interested in both Chapman and fellow free agent closer Kenley Jansen. The Yankees had already made one deal at these meetings, signing slugger Matt Holliday, before paying a lot more to bring Chapman back to the Bronx.

Fox Sports first reported the agreement.

___

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Jeff Aronson, CEO of Titan FC, told Daily Mail Australia: ‘In the immediate aftermath of loosing a very close title fight at Titan FC 42 Andrew Whitney threw a punch out of frustration which unintentionally hit one of our ring card girls.

‘Our ring card girl was attended to by the ringside doctor and officials. She indicated she was fine and was more surprised by the punch than injured.
‘Titan FC is broadcast around the world and we expect our athletes to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

Even though the punch was unintentional, I think I would have been knocked out cold if that punch connected with my glass jaw. The ring girl was reportedly all right after the punch.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) — While seated near a trophy filled with oranges, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was reminded of a coconut.

It was 41 years ago when Harbaugh came to the Orange Bowl as the son of a Wolverines’ assistant, a trip where he saw the ocean, the beach and palm trees for the first time. Harbaugh and some of the other coaches’ kids were flummoxed one day trying to get a coconut down, spending hours climbing and shaking the tree without any success.

They eventually knocked it off by throwing rocks, and smashed it open against a curb before enjoying that well-earned snack.

Harbaugh and No. 6 Michigan have one more chance at a signature moment this season, when they face No. 10 Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. Harbaugh and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher appeared Wednesday in South Florida to promote the game — which has already sold out and will pair two of the game’s storied programs.

It’s only the third meeting between the schools. Harbaugh was the quarterback when Michigan beat Florida State 20-18 in 1986; the Seminoles won the other meeting 51-31 in 1991.

“The Orange Bowl doesn’t take a back seat to any bowl that I know about,” Harbaugh said.

Both teams were considered national-title contenders at times this season, and Michigan was in the mix for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff until the end. Both clubs were as high as No. 2 in the AP Top 25, and each features one of college football’s most dynamic players — the do-everything Heisman Trophy finalist Jabrill Peppers for the Wolverines, and running back Dalvin Cook for the Seminoles.

It will almost certainly be the highly touted Cook’s final college game, and fittingly it comes just north of his hometown of Miami. Cook was an Orange Bowl youth league player as a kid, which only adds to the symmetry of Florida State getting to this matchup.

“To me, that’s what this all is about,” Fisher said. “His opportunity, and why did he get an opportunity? Because the Orange Bowl was here originally, to set up a youth program, to get him out to the field and get him to play and then his talent became out there. … Everybody gets caught in the game itself, but really behind the scenes, what these bowls stand for, they’re tremendous things. For him to do it in his hometown, it is a tremendous event.”

Seated a couple feet apart on the dais, looking down at the Orange Bowl trophy, Harbaugh and Fisher chatted back and forth like close buddies.

And before he figures out a way to slow down Cook and Florida State, Harbaugh wants to figure out how to see Renegade — the horse that gets paraded out before Seminole home games, gets guided to midfield before his rider slams a flaming spear into the turf.

“It’s one of those great programs, one of those great traditions,” Harbaugh said. “Renegade, the war horse. The spear. The tomahawk chant. I’ve never been to a game at Florida State — I always wanted to. I always wanted to go to their stadium and see what that atmosphere was like in person — and this is as close as I’ve ever been to that. I’m very much excited about that.”

Harbaugh then turned to Fisher.

“Is he gonna do it? Does he do it at the bowl game?” Harbaugh asked.

“I don’t know. I guess they will. I don’t know if he’ll get in or not. Probably will, I guess. If the bowl game allows it,” Fisher said.

“Well, you have our permission. I want to see that,” Harbaugh said.

Before long, there was another back-and-forth between the coaches, still looking back at past matchups before looking too far ahead at this one.

“It is amazing that Michigan and Florida State haven’t played more,” Fisher said. “It really is. Matter of fact, you were the quarterback once when they beat ’em, right?”

“Yessir,” Harbaugh said.

“Twenty to 18,” Fisher continued. “Yeah, I remember that.”

More memories are coming at this Orange Bowl, and only one coach will consider them fond ones.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

The Tigers weren’t necessarily “aggressive” in the Rule 5 Draft – as Al Avila said they would be – but they did pick up a potential bullpen arm.

Detroit selected left-handed reliever Daniel Stumpf from the Kansas City Royals in the first round (20th overall).

Stumpf, who will be 26 at the start of the next season, was selected in last year’s Rule 5 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. But after posting a 10.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP over seven outings, the Phillies returned him to the Royals.

He performed well in Double-A to close out the season, recording a 2.11 ERA and a .844 WHIP over 14 outings.

Stumpf features a fastball that sits between 90-93 MPH, complimented by an above-average slider. He also occasionally throws a changeup.

A product of San Jancito College, Stumpf was originally drafted by the Royals in the ninth round of the 2012 amateur draft. He is the 39th player on Detroit’s 40-man roster.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is adding former wrestling executive Linda McMahon to his Cabinet as leader of the Small Business Administration.

McMahon and her husband, Vince, founded and built World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., now a publicly traded sports entertainment company. She stepped down as the company’s chief executive in 2009 and earlier this year launched a joint venture, Women’s Leadership LIVE, which promotes opportunities for women in business and public service.

She also poured $100 million of her fortune into two unsuccessful bids for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012 and has become an influential Republican donor — including to the Trump campaign.

“Linda is going to be a phenomenal leader and champion for small businesses and unleash America’s entrepreneurial spirit all across the country,” Trump said in a statement Wednesday.

Trump said McMahon shares his vision of decreasing “burdensome regulations that are hurting our middle-class workers and small businesses.”

“As an entrepreneur myself, I have shared the experiences of our nation’s small business owners and will do my best to advocate on their behalf,” McMahon, 68, said in a statement. “My husband and I built our business from scratch, building it to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees.”

The SBA, best known for the small business loans it makes and the disaster aid it provides to companies and entrepreneurs, is also tasked with monitoring government officials’ compliances with contract laws. Its budget is generally under $1 billion.

McMahon’s two Democratic Senate opponents had kind words for their former foe.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called her “a person of serious accomplishment and ability” who can help small businesses as long as “she is not hamstrung by the dangerous economic policies espoused by other Trump-nominated Cabinet officials.” Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Murphy called McMahon a “talented and experienced businessperson” who helped shepherd WWE from an idea into a successful business.

“Of course, I know firsthand what a fierce fighter Linda McMahon is, and though we haven’t always seen eye to eye, I have confidence she’ll bring that fight to the SBA on behalf of Connecticut small businesses,” he said.

Some national small business advocates said they had little experience with McMahon but hoped she would understand the needs of small companies. Connecticut members of the National Federation of Independent Business had supported McMahon when she ran for Senate, NFIB spokesman Jack Mozloom said.

“Her views with small business aligned very well with our views. If that indicates what kind of SBA administrator she’ll be, that’ll be good,” Mozloom said.

The Small Business Majority said it would have liked a nominee with more direct small business experience, but was optimistic McMahon would support companies and their owners.

“We hope that she recognizes the unique role that the SBA plays in providing much-needed capital and support to America’s small businesses and that she is prepared to play a strong role advocating for small business needs throughout the government,” said John Arensmeyer, the group’s CEO.

The contract laws that the SBA monitors compliance with are aimed at ensuring small businesses get at least 23 percent of federal contracting money that is considered eligible for small businesses. The SBA also sponsors small business training and assistance at hundreds of centers across the country. And its Office of Advocacy’s responsibilities include challenging government regulations that pose a burden for small businesses.

House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, called McMahon an excellent choice.

“I look forward to working with her and the new administration to roll back burdensome regulations and increase access to capital for America’s 28 million small businesses,” he said.

Trump wasn’t McMahon’s top choice for president. She first backed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But McMahon has known Trump for three decades, and contributed $5 million to Trump’s family charity, almost all of it in 2007. He participated in WWE events, including a 2007 “Battle of the Billionaires,” during which he shaved Vince McMahon’s head.

After Trump secured the Republican nomination, McMahon became one of his most generous benefactors. Fundraising records show she gave $6 million to an outside group that aired supportive commercials and attack ads against Democrat Hillary Clinton. She also gave more than $150,000 to the Trump campaign and his Republican Party partners at the end of September.

McMahon told The Associated Press in September that she was confident Trump would be a good president and said the two were on good terms.

“Once you’re his friend, he is loyal to the end,” she said. “He’s an incredibly loyal, loyal friend.”

__

Haigh reported from Hartford, Connecticut. AP Business Writer Joyce Rosenberg in New York contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/trump-chooses-former-wwe-exec-mcmahon-for-small-business/feed/0John Scott Retires, Season After Improbable All-Star Runhttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/john-scott-retires-season-after-improbable-all-star-run/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/08/john-scott-retires-season-after-improbable-all-star-run/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 14:28:02 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857700John Scott, the NHL enforcer who made an unlikely run to the NHL's All-Star weekend last season, has retired.]]>TORONTO (AP) — John Scott, the NHL enforcer who made an unlikely run to the NHL’s All-Star weekend last season, has retired.

“It has been a hell of a ride. But I’m done,” Scott said in an article published Wednesday in The Players’ Tribune.

The 34-year-old Scott made headlines last season when he was voted into the All-Star tournament. He played for the Arizona Coyotes for part of the season and still served as Pacific Division captain after being traded to the Montreal Canadiens and demoted to the AHL.

Scott had two goals during the mid-season showcase in Nashville, Tennessee, and was selected the MVP of the three-on-three tournament. The NHL has since taken steps to avoid a similar situation with new fan voting rules.

The 6-foot-8 Edmonton native had five goals, 11 assists and 544 penalty minutes in 285 regular-season games in eight seasons with Minnesota, Chicago, the New York Rangers, Buffalo, San Jose, Arizona and Montreal. He played four seasons at Michigan Tech

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James had little to say about his choice of hotels and even less about Phil Jackson’s choice of words.

James and his teammates made their statement loudly on the court.

James scored 25 points, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love also surpassed 20, and the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the New York Knicks 126-94 on Wednesday night.

It was the first meeting since James was angered when Jackson referred to his friends and business partners as a “posse” last month in an ESPN interview. James refused to answer questions about the Knicks president, who watched the game from his usual seat a few rows back of center court.

“I’m motivated for the love of the game, I’m motivated by the process, I’m motivated knowing that my kids are watching me tonight on national television,” James said. “So I don’t need much more.”

The Cavs, who didn’t stay together in New York after James and some other players opted against staying in the team’s Donald Trump-branded hotel, won their second straight after a three-game skid.

Irving led Cleveland with 28 points and Love scored 21, 16 in the first quarter, in Cleveland’s eighth straight victory over New York.

“We’re going to go through skids, we’re not the perfect team,” Irving said. “But we also know what we have as a team when we collectively come together and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Brandon Jennings scored 16 points for the Knicks, who had their four-game winning streak snapped and lost for the just the third time in 10 games. He started for Derrick Rose, who missed his first game of the season with lower back pain.

The Cavs made 22 3-pointers in 40 attempts.

“They played unbelievable and made all those shots,” Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis said. “It’s really hard to stop a team like that.”

James and Love outscored Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony 46-20.

Tristan Thompson grabbed 20 rebounds for the Cavs. They played without guard J.R. Smith, who returned to Cleveland for additional testing after hyperextending his left knee Monday in Toronto.

Love and Irving made consecutive 3-pointers to kick off a 20-4 spurt that extended a one-point lead to 34-17 and the Knicks never really recovered. They trimmed it to nine late in the first half, but James had a ferocious dunk during the Cavs’ run of six straight points, and another burst to open the second half pushed it to 71-48 on Irving’s 3-pointer.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: It was a rough first quarter for former Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, who missed a layup and a breakaway dunk, when he appeared to hurt his hand after hitting it on the rim. … Irving came in averaging 28.4 points in five games at MSG, his highest in any arena.

Knicks: Anthony was presented with his USA Basketball Olympic championship ring before the game. He shared USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year award earlier Wednesday with Kevin Durant after winning his record third gold medal in Rio. … Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, working the game for ESPN, got a big ovation when shown on the overhead video screen.

LEBRON’S LODGING

James said the decision not to stay at the Trump SoHo was a personal preference and not a political statement. He said it was the first time he hadn’t stayed in the team hotel — some other players also changed hotels — though he did ride the team bus as usual to the morning workout.

BAD BACK

Rose left the Knicks’ victory over Miami on Tuesday in the third quarter and was still feeling pain when he arrived Wednesday to meet with team doctors, who sent him for an MRI exam to make sure there was nothing structurally wrong.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: Host Miami on Friday. The Cavaliers have won the last three meetings in Cleveland.

Knicks: Visit Sacramento on Friday to open a five-game trip in the West. The Knicks just beat the Kings here on Sunday, 106-98.

He said he’s done some running and tested his orthotic-fitted foot, but only with the athletic trainers so far.

“So, fingers crossed, moving forward,” Siemian said. “Taking it one day at a time.”

Although Siemian was listed as limited, Kubiak said his starting QB was able to do everything he wanted him to.

Admittedly, that wasn’t much.

After saying he could “feel the fatigue” in his team during their grinding 20-10 win over the Jaguars, Kubiak dialed back, putting his players through a series of walkthroughs at their indoor practice facility on a snowy day in Denver.

They’ll have a regular practice Thursday, which should provide more answers about Siemian’s status.

Playing behind a porous offensive line, Siemian has struggled to stay healthy all season.

The Broncos (8-4) have a brutal stretch ahead. In addition to the division-leading Titans (6-6), they face the Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders, a trio that has a combined 29-7 record.

If Siemian’s not 100 percent, he may sit this one out, too.

“You don’t want to be out there and hurting the team,” Siemian said. “So, that’s the goal: any time you’re coming back from injury, you want to make sure you’re not just out there playing but playing well.”

Forsett not only reinforces the Broncos’ battered backfield but he provides an excellent addition in protecting the passer.

Kubiak called it a blessing that Forsett was available after Kapri Bibbs (ankle) joined C.J. Anderson (knee) and Andy Janovich (hand) on IR this week, leaving rookie Devontae Booker and Juwan Thompson as the only running backs still standing.

“Picking up players in one thing,” Kubiak said, “but picking up a guy who can come in, get in your huddle today and run plays and pick up blitzes, that usually doesn’t happen.”

Siemian was equally stoked about the veteran’s arrival.

“He’s played a long time. He gets it. He knows this system well,” Siemian said. “We’re not pulling him along.”

The Broncos literally had to pull along Booker, who gained just 35 yards on 18 carries Sunday, when his best run was a 6-yard touchdown in which left tackle Russell Okung pulled him into the end zone.

Denver claimed Forsett, a ninth-year pro, off waivers from Detroit on Monday. Forsett has had his best years under Kubiak, including a Pro Bowl season in 2014 in Baltimore, when he ran for a career-best 1,266 yards and eight TDs.

“It’s nice to walk on the field today and really didn’t have a new player in a lot of ways,” Kubiak said.

Kubiak said Forsett will “split time with Book, just like Kapri would have. It’s not like he’s been sitting. He’s been playing.”

Forsett has rushed for 136 yards on 44 carries in five games this year, two with the Lions and three with the Ravens.

Kubiak is counting on Forsett also helping Booker, who has faded since Anderson got hurt in October. He’s not breaking many tackles or hitting many creases.

“I think the biggest thing with Devontae, a bunch got put on his plate,” Kubiak said. “So, I think if Justin can come in and do the things I know he’s capable of doing, maybe it takes a little bit off of Book, and I think that may help in a lot of ways.”

He’ll also help protect the QB, whoever that will be.

Kubiak said he was preparing both Siemian and Lynch to start against Tennessee.

While Lynch was running the show last week, Siemian had some fun, recreating Peyton Manning’s famous photo from a year ago of the injured QB sitting in a hot tub with his helmet on and watching practice on his iPad.

Siemian posted the photos side by side on his Twitter account.

“I’d like to go on record that Peyton was flexing in his picture,” Siemian said. “I’m getting a lot of heat that he looks stronger than me. So, I’ve got to clear that air.”

Bell picks up his master’s degree in sports administration at Wayne State University on Saturday. The next day, he could make his season debut with the Detroit Lions in his return after they cut him in February.

“It’s funny that my first week back here is the same week that I graduate,” he said Wednesday.

Desperate for depth in its banged-up backfield, Detroit brought Bell back by signing him Tuesday.

The NFC North-leading Lions (8-4) might need Bell to play against the last-place Chicago Bears (3-9) on Sunday at Ford Field, less than a mile from where he expects 30 to 40 family members and friends to attend his commencement.

Detroit’s starting running back, Theo Riddick, didn’t practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury and his backup, Dwayne Washington, was limited because of an ankle issue. Ameer Abdullah began the season as the team’s No. 1 running back, but he has been out with a foot injury since Week 2. That leaves Bell and Zach Zenner as the Lions’ only healthy running backs on the roster.

Even though Bell is joining the team so late in the year, he did play for offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter last season in a similar offense.

“It’s coming back to me and the more I look at stuff and I’m like, ‘Oh, OK. I remember that,'” Bell said. “When I go out there, I’ll be able to play comfortably and I won’t have to think as much.”

Bell insisted he wasn’t surprised when the Lions’ new general manager, Bob Quinn, released him less than a year after he signed a two-year deal with former GM Martin Mayhew. In fact, Bell said he kept in touch with Quinn before and after Chicago signed him earlier this season. He had three carries for 6 yards on Oct. 2, when the Bears beat the Lions, and didn’t run the ball once over the next three games before being cut.

“When I left the Bears, I texted (Quinn) back and said, ‘Bring me home,'” Bell recalled. “He sent me a text the other day and said, ‘Do you want to come home?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ My heart has never left here. My family is here. I played most of his career and built my foundation here.”

Bell, who is from Benton Harbor, Michigan, won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2009 at Wayne State, but that wasn’t enough to get him drafted.

After playing sparingly for Indianapolis and Philadelphia, he did enough well as a runner and receiver with the Lions to sign a $9.3 million, three-year contract in 2014.

“We certainly know what his traits are,” Detroit coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s always been a very, very positive guy. A very, very good locker-room guy. Lot of energy. Loves to play the game. And he’s a good, tough runner as well. He’s alright with the ball in his hands throwing it to him, also. There a number of different things that he can do.”

And soon, Bell will add another accomplishment to his resume when he walks across a stage in front of a crowd he is proud to say will include his 11-year-old son, Jordan.

“I always preach to the kids that I’m trying to mentor, or kids that come to my camp, how important education is,” he said. “I don’t want to tell them to do something that I haven’t done. So for me to come back to my alma mater and to finish my master’s degree there and to be able to have my son there, that’s probably one of the greatest experiences I’ll ever have as a father.”

“Can the NCAA get anything right? Probably not. Common sense? Zero,” said current University of Michigan tight end Jake Butt on Twitter in support of his former teammate – Samuelson who wrote a lengthy post on Facebook about a NCAA rule that takes him out of bowl play with his team.

“Missing out on the trip to the Bahamas is one thing, I can get over that. What aggravates me so much is that a student athlete like myself is penalized in so many aspects for making a decision that ultimately is better for them in every aspect. A coach can leave at any moment, and join another team with no penalties whatsoever. What does that say about how we are truly viewed? Not well, I’d say.”

Batum had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who won for the third time in four games despite being held to 38 points in the first half on 27 percent shooting.

Marvin Williams returned to Charlotte’s starting lineup after missing the last six games with a hyperextended knee and finished with 12 points and five rebounds, providing a needed physicality on defense.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/walkers-big-4th-quarter-lifts-hornets-past-pistons-87-77/feed/0Why J.D. Martinez To The Giants Is Highly Unlikelyhttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/why-j-d-martinez-to-the-giants-is-highly-unlikely/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/why-j-d-martinez-to-the-giants-is-highly-unlikely/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 00:23:51 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857623f the many teams J.D. Martinez has been linked to in trade rumors, the San Francisco Giants have popped up the most.]]>By Will Burchfield
Twitter @Burchie_kid

DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) – Of the many teams J.D. Martinez has been linked to in trade rumors, the San Francisco Giants have popped up the most.

But don’t expect a deal to come out of it.

As the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea reported on Wednesday, the Giants would only acquire Martinez if they were able to unload a similarly-paid player in the process.

As for J.D. Martinez, Giants would make trades like that only if they move a player making comparable money.

The main reason Martinez is on the market, of course, is because the Tigers are looking to trim payroll. (Or are they?) Any deal that required them to take on salary would defeat the very purpose of the exchange.

Even if GM Al Avila was okay with simply keeping costs level, there’s only one Giants player who would represent a fair return for Martinez: Brandon Crawford. And San Francisco presumably has little interest in trading its Gold Glove-winning, Silver Slugger-winning shortstop.

If a third team entered the negotiations, things might change. But the Tigers and Giants are unlikely to reach an agreement on their own.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/why-j-d-martinez-to-the-giants-is-highly-unlikely/feed/0Why This Is The Best Stretch Of Matthew Stafford’s Careerhttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/why-this-is-the-best-stretch-of-matthew-staffords-career/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/why-this-is-the-best-stretch-of-matthew-staffords-career/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 00:09:06 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857537Matthew Stafford has gone on some explosive runs as a quarterback, but few that match the one he's on now.]]>By: Will Burchfield@burchie_kid

DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) – Matthew Stafford has gone on some explosive runs as a quarterback, but few that match the one he’s on now.

Since Week 4, Stafford has thrown for 253 yards per game, racked up 14 touchdowns to just one interception and posted a passer rating of 104.2. The Lions have won seven of eight games in that span and assumed first place in the NFC North.

On Wednesday, Stafford said it ranks as one of the funnest stretches of his career.

“It’s up there. Any time you’re winning it’s great, but at the same time let’s forget about last week and move on,” he said.

Spoken like a true leader. Still, when asked how it feels to beat an opposing defense with a well-run play – something the Lions have done frequently this season – Stafford was willing to look back.

“It’s great, part of all the hard work you put in in preparation. When it comes to fruition on game days it’s great. We’ve had a couple of those this year,” he said. “I can think of that long run Theo (Riddick) had in Minnesota, the touchdown last week to GT (Golden Tate).”

Both those plays came in Detroit victories. Winning is something the Lions have gown familiar with since losing to the Bears in Week 4 and falling to 1-3 on the season.

“I think we’ve just played better football since then,” Stafford said. “In that game we turned the ball over twice. Those were huge, huge turnovers (that) cost us points. Since then we’ve done a nice job of avoiding that, and that’s been a big turnaround for us.”

For Stafford, in particular. With just one interception in his last eight games, the nine-year vet is playing the most responsible football of his career. Critics will accuse him of becoming a game-manager – the same critics, in all likelihood, who once decried his status as a gunslinger – but his overall numbers suggest he’s found a happy medium between bashful and bold.

Here are the best runs of Stafford’s college/professional career in terms of individual statistics and team success.

2007, Georgia

Time frame: Oct. 13 – Jan. 1

Team performance: 7-0 to finish the season, culminating in a Sugar Bowl victory over Hawaii

Personal performance: 10 TD, 7 INT, 194 yards per game.

2008, Georgia

Time frame: Oct. 18 – Jan. 1

Team performance: 5-2 to finish the season, culminating in a Capital One Bowl victory over Michigan State

In a vacuum, last year’s run stands out as Stafford’s best. But consider the context. That stretch of play began when the Lions were 1-7 and buried in the NFC North. As great as Stafford was from there on out, it didn’t really matter.

This year, his hot streak has seen the team resurrect its season. It began when the Lions were in last place in the division and it has burned through their ascent to first. With every strong outing by Stafford and each additional win, the Lions close in on something they haven’t attained in 23 years: a division title and the right to host a playoff game.

It’s impossible for anyone but Stafford to judge the funnest stretch of his career. But in determining the best stretch of his career, the numbers are as valid a source as any. And here’s what the numbers tell us.

At no point has Stafford put together a run of play as impressive and as significant as the one he’s in the midst of at the moment.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/why-this-is-the-best-stretch-of-matthew-staffords-career/feed/0Matthew Stafford Gaining Ground In MVP Racehttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/matthew-stafford-gaining-ground-in-mvp-race/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/matthew-stafford-gaining-ground-in-mvp-race/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 21:40:01 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857549With the Lions closing in on a division title and their quarterback leading the way, Matthew Stafford's MVP candidacy continues to rise.
]]>By: Will Burchfield@burchie_kid

With the Lions closing in on a division title and their quarterback leading the way, Matthew Stafford’s MVP candidacy continues to rise.

In ESPN’s latest MVP Poll, Stafford is trailing just three players with four games to go. The trio ahead of him? Derek Carr (first), Tom Brady (second) and Ezekiel Elliott (third). Then Stafford.

According to the gambling website Bovada, Stafford is in even better position to win MVP. He currently has 15-to-2 odds to claim the award, tied for third with Brady. Only Carr (7-to-2) and Elliott (12-to-5) have better odds.

Just five weeks ago, Stafford was on the fringes of the MVP race. With the Lions at 4-3 and many of Stafford’s best moments yet to come, Bovada listed the Lions’ quarterback as a 40-to-1 longshot to claim the award. He was ranked behind 15 other players.

He has leapfrogged 12 of them since.

Stafford’s MVP candidacy rests largely on his team’s success. He doesn’t have the most glamorous numbers – indeed, his low turnover rate may be his shiniest statistic – but he has led the Lions on seven fourth-quarter comebacks. Remove Stafford from the equation, and it’s easy to envision those deficits becoming defeats.

In terms of value to his team, Stafford’s tough to top.

Still, to mark a serious push for the award down the stretch, he’ll have to gain ground in a number of individual categories. As ESPN points out, “Stafford feels like an MVP candidate because he passes the eye test and his team is 8-4, but he doesn’t have MVP stats.”

Not yet, at least.

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/matthew-stafford-gaining-ground-in-mvp-race/feed/0LeBron: No Statement By Not Staying At Trump-Branded Hotelhttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/lebron-no-statement-by-not-staying-at-trump-branded-hotel/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/lebron-no-statement-by-not-staying-at-trump-branded-hotel/#commentsWed, 07 Dec 2016 20:20:08 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857558LeBron James said he wasn't trying to make a statement by not staying at a Donald Trump-branded hotel with the Cleveland Cavaliers, calling it a personal preference.]]>BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - LeBron James said he wasn’t trying to make a statement by not staying at a Donald Trump-branded hotel with the Cleveland Cavaliers, calling it a personal preference.

“It would be the same if I went to a restaurant and decided to eat chicken and not steak,” James said.

James and some other players didn’t stay with the team at the Trump SoHo in lower Manhattan before the Cavs’ game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. James said it was the first time in his career he hasn’t stayed with his team, though he said he rode the bus to the morning shootaround as usual with the squad.

James endorsed Hillary Clinton and campaigned with her in Ohio. Several of his teammates, including Richard Jefferson, Iman Shumpert and others have expressed their disappointment about Trump’s win.

“At the end of the day I hope he’s one of the best presidents ever, for all of our sake,” James said. “For my family, for all us.”

A team spokesman didn’t say how many players opted not to stay in the team hotel and wasn’t sure how James met up with the bus.

Coach Tyronn Lue, who stayed with the team, was asked if it was odd to have the players split up on the road.

“It’s not normal, but considering the circumstances that’s what we have,” Lue said. “But that’s not my main objective. My main thing is to try to get this team to stay on track and play the right way and try to get back on track by playing Cleveland Cavalier basketball.”

James wouldn’t talk about Knicks President Phil Jackson, who angered the All-Star forward last month by referring to his friends and business partners in an ESPN interview as a “posse.”

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/lebron-no-statement-by-not-staying-at-trump-branded-hotel/feed/1Sale On Yielding Ace Role: ‘We Play For A Trophy, Not A Tag’http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/sale-on-yielding-ace-role-we-play-for-a-trophy-not-a-tag/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/sale-on-yielding-ace-role-we-play-for-a-trophy-not-a-tag/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 18:53:31 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857539New Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale says he isn't worried that he might not be the ace of the pitching staff after being traded from the White Sox to Boston.]]>JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer

BOSTON (AP) — New Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale says he isn’t worried that he might not be the ace of the pitching staff after being traded from the White Sox to Boston.

The 27-year-old lefty told reporters on Wednesday, “We play for a trophy, not a tag.”

Sale was traded to the Red Sox on Tuesday at the baseball winter meetings. He was the top starting pitcher on the market, and the Red Sox gave up touted prospect Yoan Moncada as part of a package to land him.

Sale has been an All-Star for five straight seasons and finished in the top six of the Cy Young Award voting each time. He joins a staff that already includes 2016 Cy Young winner Rick Porcello and ’12 winner David Price.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

McCaffrey announced his decision on Wednesday, saying he has done everything he could in college and now wants to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.”

“Since I was 6 years old, I’ve wanted to play in the NFL,” he wrote in an announcement on Stanford’s website announcing his decision. “It’s been on every list of goals that I’ve ever written. Now, it’s time to take that step. There’s nothing more I can put on film.”

McCaffrey was the runner-up last season for the Heisman Trophy when he broke Barry Sanders’ NCAA record for all-purpose yards in a season with 3,864 yards. He has proven to be the ultimate all-around threat with the ability to run with power between the tackles, use his elusiveness and speed running on the outside or as a receiver and being a dangerous returner.

He rushed for 2,019 yards and eight scores, added 645 yards receiving with two more touchdowns and had 1,200 yards and two TDs as a returner in 2015 when he narrowly lost the Heisman to Alabama’s Derrick Henry.

McCaffrey was not as prolific this season as he was slowed in October by an injury. He still rushed for 1,596 yards and increased his yards per carry from 6.0 to 6.3 despite a less accomplished line and passing game. He also scored 16 touchdowns overall this season for coach David Shaw and the 16th-ranked Cardinal (9-3).

“I’ve talked to many in and out of the game and received advice from people whose opinions I greatly respect, including Toby Gerhart, who was here for a game this season. I took their feedback and came to a conclusion: I’m ready,” McCaffrey wrote.

“I talked to Coach Shaw about everything. He completely agreed. Really, it just made sense. The opportunity is right in front of me. Simply put, this is the best time to live out my dream.”

McCaffrey says he plans to return to school to get his degree.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/stanfords-christian-mccaffrey-to-leave-school-for-nfl-draft/feed/0Jabrill Peppers Wins 2016 Paul Hornung Awardhttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/jabrill-peppers-wins-2016-paul-hornung-award/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/jabrill-peppers-wins-2016-paul-hornung-award/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 18:15:13 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=857529Peppers is the first Wolverines to win the Hornung Award.]]>LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Sports Commission announced Wednesday that University of Michigan junior/sophomore Jabrill Peppers has been named the winner of the 2016 Paul Hornung Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s most versatile college football player.

Peppers is the first Wolverines to win the Hornung Award. The other finalists for the award were Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), Adoree Jackson (USC) and Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma).

“Jabrill loves competition and has a relentless desire to be great,” said Jim Harbaugh, U-M’s J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. “We are honored that Jabrill has been selected as the Paul Hornung Award winner, an achievement fitting of his versatility on the football field. Jabrill is explosive, aggressive, intelligent, and plays the game with great enthusiasm. He has always wanted what is best for the team and has been willing to accept any role that is asked of him. We are very proud of this achievement.”

“It means a lot to me to win this award,” said Jabrill. “You definitely want to do as much as possible, and you want to do it as well as you can. I think there are a lot of guys who could have won this award, so it’s just a tremendous honor to be the winner and to represent the Paul Hornung Award. I’m just going to keep to trying to get better, keep working on my faults and do whatever I have to do to help my team.”

A finalist for the Hornung Award last season, Peppers took his game to another level this season. He played an astounding 933 snaps during the 2016 campaign, logging 726 plays on defense, 53 plays on offense and 154 snaps on special teams. Peppers has seen the field at 15 different positions this fall.

Peppers has been one of the leaders on Michigan’s top-ranked defense. He is tied for second on the team with a career-best 72 tackles this season. Peppers leads the team, ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 25 in the NCAA with 16 tackles for loss (1.3 avg.). He has also contributed four sacks, one interception and forced one fumble.

One of the nation’s most dynamic returners, Peppers has 570 return yards. He has 21 punt returns for 310 yards and one touchdown; his 14.8-yard average per punt return ranks fourth nationally. In addition, Peppers has 10 kickoff returns for 260 yards (26.0 avg.).

On offense, Peppers has carried the football 27 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns and has two receptions.

He has collected considerable recognition for his achievements this fall. Peppers was All-Big Ten first team at linebacker and as a return specialist and is a finalist for the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the conference’s MVP. He became the first player in Big Ten history to win three individual awards, receiving the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year and the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year.

Peppers will be presented the Paul Hornung Trophy during the ESPNU Red Carpet Show prior to Home Depot College Football Awards Show held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Thursday (Dec. 8).

Peppers is the second player coached by Jim Harbaugh to win the honor, joining inaugural Hornung Award recipient Owen Marecic of Stanford (2010).

]]>http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/jabrill-peppers-wins-2016-paul-hornung-award/feed/0Caldwell: Proving Critics Wrong “Doesn’t Stimulate Me”http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/caldwell-proving-critics-wrong-doesnt-stimulate-me/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/caldwell-proving-critics-wrong-doesnt-stimulate-me/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 17:34:59 +0000Sports – CBS Detroithttp://detroit.cbslocal.com/?p=85750710 weeks ago, the Lions were in last place in the NFC North and Jim Caldwell was firmly on the hot seat.]]>By: Will Burchfield@burchie_kid

10 weeks ago, the Lions were in last place in the NFC North and Jim Caldwell was firmly on the hot seat. Fast forward to today, and the Lions are churning toward a division title and Caldwell is garnering support for Coach of the Year.

But Caldwell doesn’t revel in silencing the critics – either the team’s or his own.

“I get no satisfaction because number one, I don’t pay any attention to it. Matter of fact, I don’t hear it. All we’re concerned about is what we can control,” he said.

Caldwell and the Lions still have their doubters, to be sure. There are those who suggest the team is destined to collapse and others who claim the coach remains an impediment to his players’ success. Either way, Caldwell doesn’t really care.

“Satisfaction doesn’t come from showing people, ‘Hey, we can do this.’ That doesn’t stimulate me at all,” he said. “I coach because of the fact I love to see men perform at their absolute best and try to take them to heights maybe where they can’t take themselves. Those are the things that I think drive our staff and drive the people that are in this business more so than anything else.”

Plus, Caldwell went on, job security is a fanciful notion in the NFL.

“In this business you’re always on the hot seat. I don’t care what your record is. It’s what have you done lately, you know? I saw several years back, Marty Schoettenheimer got fired at 14-2,” Caldwell said, referencing the Chargers’ shocking decision to part ways with their coach after a terrific 2006 season. “If that doesn’t tell you something about this business, nothing will.

“(There’s) always going to be chatter and I think that’s what the great thing (is) about our sport. Everybody loves to talk about it. It’s heightened emotions. That’s what makes our sport so interesting. That’s why the viewership is the way it is because of the fact that there are so many factors involved in it. That part is part of it.”

The Lions, winners of four straight and seven of their past eight, will look to continue their momentum when they host the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

“We’re playing better, but we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us this week,” Caldwell said. “And it’s a week-to-week business.”

Sanchez seems like an unlikely player to gain traction on the trade market. The 32-year-old posted a 5.87 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP last season and will make $16 million in 2017. (His contract includes a $16 million team option for 2018 with a $5 million buyout.)

But Sanchez may have redeemed some of his trade value by rebounding down the stretch in 2016. He pitched to a 4.19 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in his last seven starts of the season.

Sanchez won’t net much of a return if the Tigers are able to move him, but the organization would benefit from unloading some of his salary. By packaging him with a more appealing player – like Justin Wilson, for example – the Tigers might convince a team to take on a decent chunk of Sanchez’s contract.

Nosek, 24, was recalled by Detroit on Friday but did not see game action. The Pardubice, Czech Republic, native has skated in 11 games for Grand Rapids this season and is tied for sixth on the team in scoring with 10 points (2-8-10). Nosek made his NHL debut with the Red Wings last year on Dec. 26, 2015 at Nashville and totaled six games with the club, recording two penalty minutes, six hits and three takeaways in 10:08 average time on ice. Nosek has spent the past three seasons with the Griffins, tallying 74 points (28-46-74), a plus-43 rating and 68 penalty minutes in 136 regular-season games and adding eight points (3-5-8) and 33 penalty minutes in 21 postseason games.

A sixth-year pro, Nosek logged 129 professional games in the Czech Extraliga for HC Pardubice, totaling 62 points (24-38-62) and 58 penalty minutes. He posted a career-best 44 points (19-25-44) in 52 games for the club in 2013-14, leading the team in scoring before signing with Detroit in the offseason at the age of 21. The 6-foot-3, 210-lb., center also spent parts of three seasons with HC Chrudim and HC Hradec Kralove of the Czech Republic’s second-highest professional league, picking up 16 points (7-9-16) between the teams from 2010-13. He also racked up 125 points (53-72-125) in 109 games for HC Pardubice at the under-20 level. Nosek captained his country at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, picking up one assist in six games.

Coreau, 25, saw his first NHL action in Detroit’s 5-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday, making 32 saves for the Red Wings. The fourth-year pro has an 8-5-0 record, 2.39 goals-against average, 0.923 save percentage and one shutout in 13 games with the Griffins and has appeared in 90 games with the Griffins since 2013-14, sporting a 53-32-13 record, 2.43 goals-against average, 0.921 save percentage and 10 shutouts. Coreau established new career highs for the Griffins in 2015-16 in games played, wins and shutouts and ranked among the AHL’s top netminders with 29 wins (T4th), a 2.43 goals-against average (10th), 0.922 save percentage (T4th) and six shutouts (3rd) in 47 appearances.

A native of Perth, Ontario, the 6-foot-6, 220-lb., goaltender spent three seasons at Northern Michigan University in the CCHA prior to signing with the Red Wings after the 2012-13 season. In 76 games with the Wildcats, he accumulated a 32-31-8 record, 2.72 goals-against average, 0.919 save percentage and two shutouts. Coreau also spent one season with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL prior to his collegiate career, posting a 3.62 goals-against average and a 0.882 save percentage in 38 games with the team during the 2009-10 campaign.

She told MailOnline: ‘I can’t believe it. I never imagined it would be me. I’d decided to give up modelling and go and study medicine. But now this has changed everything. I’m ecstatic.’

‘But I’m not taking this role lightly. I promise I’ll represent Brazilian beauty to the best of my ability, with all the hard work and dedication that the title deserves. This is the first of many conquests.’

She won a modeling contract and beat out 15 others that were competing for the contract.

Canella won roughly $22,000 in modeling contracts for winning the contest.

I pride myself at being pretty darn good at the Madden video game series, but no one pays me for it.

And that means this guy is smarter than me.

A list of the top 10 highest paid YouTube stars came out and the winner was PewDiePie or otherwise known as Felix Arvid. He is a pro gamer from Sweden and made $15 million this past year thanks to his 49 million subscribers. Arvid is the first person to reach 10 billion YouTube views and was also named as one of Time Magazine’s most influential people.

Felix has recently landed in hot water after joking he was joining ISIS and claiming YouTube was sabotaging his channel because he is white.

The gamer recently threatened to delete his YouTube account after reaching 50 million subscribers because he felt the site was trying to hamper his success.

Martinez and Kinsler were viewed as valuable trade chips entering this offseason given their steady production and affordable contracts.

Martinez, 29, hit .307 in 2016 with 22 HR and 68 RBI in 120 games, posting an offensive-WAR* of 4.1. He will make $11.75 million next season after which he will become a free agent.

Kinsler, 34, hit .288 in 2016 with 28 HR and 83 RBI in 153 games, posting an offensive-WAR of 6.1. He will make $14 million next season with a team option of $11 million for 2018.

Just last week, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reported that Martinez and Kinsler were the two Tigers getting “the most bites” on the trade market. That still might be true, but Rosenthal’s report suggests the Tigers aren’t taking the bait.

To Rosenthal’s point, the free agent market could be driving down the trade value of Martinez and Kinsler. While teams would certainly have to shell out some money to sign the likes of Jose Bautista, Dexter Fowler or Justin Turner (to name a few), they wouldn’t forfeit more than a compensatory draft pick in return.

Martinez and Kinsler, on the other hand, would cost teams in both departments.

The Tigers are unlikely to deal either player if they don’t receive a favorable offer. At the ongoing Winter Meetings, general manager Al Avila has clarified there’s no mandate for the team to cut payroll and that Martinez and Kinsler could very possibly be on next year’s roster.

When the 2016 NFL regular season started, many expected the Denver Broncos, the defending Super Bowl champions, would contend for the AFC West crown. While they’re definitely still in the race at 8-4, the Broncos are third in the division, behind the Oakland Raiders (10-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (9-3).

This week’s Thursday Night Football matchup between the Raiders and Chiefs promises to be one of the season’s most important and most exciting. The AFC West lead is on the line, in a game with playoff seeding implications. A Raiders win would strengthen their division lead. A Chiefs win would give them the same record and the division lead, by virtue of their previous win over the Raiders in Week 6.

The Raiders had no trouble moving the ball against the Bills last week, even as they settled for three Janikowski field goals in the first half. Any sluggishness seemed to disappear after halftime. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr continued his masterful season, leading his team to 29 unanswered points on 260 yards passing for the day. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree and running backs Latavius Murray and Jalen Richard certainly helped.

The defense, not really a Raiders’ strength in recent years, seemed to come on later in the game too, tormenting the Bills’ speedy Tyrod Taylor, getting big hits and forcing turnovers. Defensive end Khalil Mack, AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November, registered a sack in his seventh straight game. The unit looks more and more like those legendary Raiders’ defenses of old as the season progresses.

Their division rival and opponent has been no less impressive this season. Andy Reid has made this Chiefs team his own, having won 19 of their last 22 regular season games. And in typical fashion, they still manage to fly under the radar, possibly because their wins come through defense and the run. Kansas City has won four straight against Oakland and leads the series 61-52-2

The Chiefs absolutely throttled the Raiders 26-10 earlier this season, handing Oakland one of its two losses. Running back Spencer Ware had his best game of the season with 131 yards and one touchdown. Jamaal Charles added another TD. And Alex Smith, generally seen as a game manager, put on a passing clinic, completing 19-of-22 attempts for 224 yards. The offense dominated the game in time of possession.

The Raiders didn’t help their cause in that Week 6 loss, stalling out on good drives. Derek Carr seemed off too, though the sloppy playing conditions likely hurt them more than they did the Chiefs. Carr finished that day with one interception and two fumbles (one lost), and was sacked twice. If not for Amari Cooper’s 129 receiving yards, the offense would have looked positively anemic.

The Chiefs know the keys to defeating the Raiders and have the tools to pull it off . But can they do it again? The Raiders have corrected their Week 6 mistakes and are riding a six-game winning streak. They will extend that mark, ending their recent losing streak to their division foe. Oakland won’t win easily, but they will win.

Prediction: Oakland Raiders: 35, Kansas City Chiefs: 30

Danny Cox has been covering the NFL for the past decade and has been watching it for two more. From injury reports to playoff races, he follows every single team and longs for the months of July to February.